Printing machine



1. s; THOMPSON.

PRINTING MACH INE.

APPLKIATION FILED AUG-12,1918. I 1 416 390 Patented May 16, 1922.,v

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

14S. THOMPSON.

I HUNTING MACHINE.

J. S. THOMPSON.

PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FlLED AUG. 12, 1918.

1 ,%16,390 Patented May 16, 1922.

- 4 swans-sheaf J. S. THOMPSON.

PRINTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 12. 1918.

Patented May 16, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNlTEfi JOHN S. THOMPSON, E CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PRINTING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN S. THOMPSON, a citizen of the United States, residingat Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new'and useful Improvements in Printing Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for automatically and periodically changing the impression type on a printing press. One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide means whereby a form letter may be printed on the ordinary Gordon type of printing press and at the same time a different address be printed on each letter. For the purpose of describing my invention 1 have illustrated in the accompanying drawings one embodiment thereof.

In said drawings- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the Gordon press having my invention embodied therewith;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail side elevation of the address-changing mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the gear connection for driving the address-changing mechanism Fig. 6 is a detail perspective of the address block; and

Fig. 7 is a detail of the clamp holding the slugs of the address block together;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2..

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated I provide a Gordon press of the usual construction having the usual movable type bed 1 and stationary platen 2 mounted upon a frame 3, together with the usual inking rollers 4 mounted on the rocking frame 5. As usual in presses of this character, the bed 1 moves to and from the platen 2. This movement in the type of press illustrated is accomplished by means of the connecting rods 6 and the crank wheel 7. Also connected to this crank wheel 7 is a second operating pair of rods 8 for reciprocating the inking rolls.

Presses of this character have what is Specification of Letters Patent. Patentgd May 16 1922 Application filed August 12, 1918. $eria1 known as a the bed can be so shifted that it willnot make an impression when it approaches the platen. The means for operating this throw-off mechanism is shown in the accompanying drawings as consisting of a hand lever 9 pivoted to the frame at the point 10 and operating a suitable throw-oif mechanlsm.

The mechanism so far described is the mechanism of the ordinary Gordon press. Operating in connection with this press is my improved means for changing the address of each of the form letters printed by the above described press. This mechanism consists of an endless chain 11 reciprocating with thebed 1 and carrying the different addresses. Mounted on the bed 1 is a frame comprising a top plate 12. an'end plate 13 and a bottom brace 14. This top plate 12 at its forward end is pivotally secured to the bed 1 by means of downwardly turned lugs 15 which are pivotally connected to the pivot pin 16secured in a lug 17 mounted on the bed. Also mounted on the pin 16 is a triangular sprocket wheel 18 over which the chain passes as it moves across the face of the bed. A second sprocket wheel 19 is mounted at the lower end of the bed upon a pin -20. This pin is secured to one end of a brace 21, the opposite end of which is secured to the bed. A second brace 22 is fastened to a portion 23 of the bottom member 14 of the frame. This bottom member 14 of the frame is above the path of travel of the chain 11 so that free access may be had to the chain at this point and a loading Zone thereby provided. A sprocket wheel 25 at the rear end of the frame, secured to the portion 24 of the frame member 14 and a brace 26, guides the chain at this point and a fourth sprocket wheel 27 secured to a pair of braces 28 connected respectively to the upper member 12 and the side member 13 of the frame serves as a guide at this corner of the frame. The chain at suitable intervals is provided with links 29 having rectangular recesses or openings therein.

The type units used. in connection with this chain comprise a plurality of linotype slugs 30 which are held together by a spring band 31 clamped around their bases. The unit formed by the linotype slugs is just sufficiently large to pass through the opening inthe link 29.

throw-off mechanism whereby forms a shoulder which prevents the slugs from passing clear through the opening. The chain 11 is spaced apart from the plates 12 and 13 sufficiently to permit the bases of the slugs to slide upon the plates, and these plates are also provided with pairs of guiding members or rails 32 which are sufiiclently spaced apart to permit the base of the units to pass between. A guide is thus formed for the units so that as the chain moves vertically and along the top of the frame the printing. units will not drop out therefrom. As the chain passes along the bottom path of its movement, due to the raised portion 14 of the frame, a clearance is left whereby the units may be readily lifted out of the openings in the links and new ones dropped in, the band 31 preventing the units from dropping through the openings in the links. The slack of the chain 11 is taken up by means of a spring-pressed roller 63 supported from the .frame between a pair of downwardly extending arms 34. The shaft of the roller operates in longitudinally ex tending slots 35 in these arms, and the outer ends of the shaft have connected thereto the ends of coiled springs 36, the opposite ends of which are connected to pins 37 on the arms 34 so that a constant pressure is exerted by the roller 63 upon the chainll at this point to take up any slack in the chain. This is especially advantageous when the flat portion formed on the triangular sprocket 18 takes the chain, this flat portion being formed for the purpose of accommodating the various printing units as they pass over the sprockets.

The chain 11. is supported against sagging by a roller 3' secured between a pair of arms -38 supported from this bottom member 14 as it passes through its loading path or zone, and the rear end of the frame for the chain. is held in a raised position by a h face 39 having a roller 40 on which the top plate 12 I'GSJS. The bottom of this brace may be connected to the frame of the press, or, as in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, rest on the floor.

One end of the shaft or pin .20 of the sprocket 19 is provided with a pinion 41 adapted to mesh with a mutilated gear 42. This gear, as is shown in Figs. 4- and 5, has only a portion of its surface provided with teeth. That portion not occupied by teeth is provided with a fiat off-set portion 43 which, as the mutilated gear rotates, engages the curved surface 44 of a block also mounted on the shaft 20 and rotating with the pinion 4-1. It is thus seen that as the gear 42 rotates the teeth engaging with the "teeth of the pinion will rotate the sprocket 19, thereby moving the chain 1.2. ll hen, however, the blank portion of the gear reaches the teeth of the pinion 41, no further movement will be imparted to the pinion, and the surface 43 engaging with the curved surface 44 will effectually lock the pinion, and with it the sprocket 19, against further movement so that during the printing operation the chain 11 will remain sta tionary.

This mutilated gear 42 is driven from the driving shaft of the press. The driving shaft 45 of the press is provided with a sprocket wheel 46 operating or driving a chain 47. This chain connects with a sprocket 48 mounted at the hinged points of the bed 1. A smaller sprocket wheel 49 connected with the sprocket 48 is connected by a chain 50 with a sprocket 51 loosely mounted on the shaft 52 of the mutilated gear 42. The mutilated gear wheel 42 is provided with one clutch member 53, while a second clutch member 54 is mounted 011 the hub of the sprocket wheel 51 so that when the two portions of the clutch member are connected, the sprocket 51 will be connected with the mutilated gear 42. This sprocket 51 is mounted on a sleeve 55 which in turn is mounted on the shaft 52, and the rear end of this sleeve is provided with a block 56 having extending from its two sides a pair of pins These pins operate in inclined slots 58 of two vertically reciprocating but horizontally stationary 'members 59. The two slots 58 form in effect cams for moving the block 56 transversely so-that when the members 59 are raised the cam slots 58 will move the block 56 transversely to disengage the clutch while the lowering of the members 59 will throw the clutch into engagement. A coiled spring 60 is interposed between the block and the hub of the sprocket wheel 51 so that in the event the clutch faces are not in position to engage when the wheel 51 is pushed over, a cushion is provided which holds the clutch faces togetl'ier until they do properly engage as the wheel 51 rotates. For vertically moving the members 59, I provide a rod 61 connected at its upper end to the members and having at its lower end apin 62 operating in a cam slot 63 formed in the plate 64. This plate 64 is provided with a second slot operating over a suitable pin to permit its longitudinal movement and the plate is connected by means of a connecting rod 66 with the lower end of the throw-olflever, 9 so that as. the throw-off lever is moved to the left, looking at Fig. 1, the cam slot 63 will cause the pin 62 to raise the rod 61 and with it the members 59 whereby when the throwoff lever of the press is operated to throw the press. off, the driving mechanism of the chain is disconnected and the chain will not move.

The operation of the mechanism is oh vious. The mutilated gear 42 is so proportioned with respect to the distance between the printing unit carrying links that one rotation of the gear will moves the chain a sufficient distance to bring a unit into printii'ig position on the bed. The printing unit, be

ing formed from linotype slugs, is. therefore, type high, so that when the unit lies on the bed it is of the same height as the type of the chase, and an even impression made throughout the sheet, thereby making a printing impression wherein the changed impression cannot be distinguished from the unchanged impression. The blank space of the gear is so proportioned that the chain will remain stationary while the impression is being made. Immediately however, after the impression is made the chain will move another step thereby bringing another printing unit into position and simultaneously moving the former unit out of position. As these units move through the bottom path of travel 'Of the chain the under side of the chain will be left free and the unit may be readily lifted out anda new one inserted in its place so that an operator can be constantly forwarding new units to the chain or conveyor as it passes through the loading zone, and after each impression a new unit will be brought to printing position. While I have shown the units as being adapted to be lifted out by hand it is obvious that suitable automatic mechanism may be provided for removing a unit and inserting a fresh one. 1

I claim as my invention 1. In a printing-press of the type wherein printing units are successively presented in printing position, the combination of a continuous conveyor having openings therethrough, typehigh printing units received in said openings, and means comprising a binding member for said type units for re- Inovably securing the same in the openings on said conveyor. 1 v

2. In a printing press of the type wherein printing units are successively presented in printing position, the combination of a continuous conveyor having openings therethrough, type-high printing units received in said openings and means associated with said units comprising a clamp around the base thereof to permit of the insertion and removal of said units in said conveyor whil the latter is in mot-ion.

3. In a printing press having a movable bed and wherein printing units are successively presented in printing position by means for moving a conveyor bodily with said bed during printing operations and independently across said bed between print ing operations, the combination of a con tinuous conveyor having openings therethrough, and moving across the face of the bed between printing operations, and typehigh printing units received insaid openings, said bed cooperating with saidconveyor to stationarily support the printing units on the face of the bed during the printing operation} 4;. In a rinting press having a movable bed and wiierein printing units are successively presented in printing position by means for moving a conveyor bodily with said bed during printing operations and independently across said' bed between printing operations, the combination of a conveyor having openings therethrough and having an upper and lower path of travel, printing units adapted to be disposed in said openings, and means associated with each printing unit for maintaining said units in position on said conveyor during the movement of the latter along one travel path.

5. In a printing press having a movable bed and wherein printing units are successively presented in printing position by means for moving a conveyor bodily with said bed during printing operations and in dependently across said bed between printing operations, the combination of a con veyor havin openings therethrough, printing units at apted'to be disposed in said openings, and means comprising a member associated with each type unit to prevent the complete passage of said units through saidopenings during one travel path of said conveyor and comprising a supporting member substantially co-extensive with the other travel path for maintaining said units in position during the latter period.

6. In a printing press having a movable bed and wherein printing units are successively presented in printing position by means for moving a conveyor bodily with said bed during printing operations and independently across said bed between printing operations, the combination of a corn veyor having op'enings therethrough, printing units adapted to be disposed in said openings, and means comprising a member associated with each type unit and engaging the edges of said openings to prevent the passage of said units therethrough during one travel path of said conveyor and comprising a supporting member substantially coextensive with the other travel pathengaging said units at the side of the conveyor opposite said first maintaining members for maintaining said units in position during the latter period.

7. In a printing press having a movable bed and wherein printing units are successively presented in printing position by means for moving a conveyorbodily with said bed during printing operations and independently across said bed between printing operations, the combination of aconveyor havingopenings the'rethrough, printing'units adapted to be disposed in said openings,means comprising a band around the-type'of said units to prevent the units passing completely through said openings "during one travel path, and a member substantially co-e-Xtensive with said conveyor during its other travel path to support said units in said conveyor.

8. In a printing press having a movable bed and wherein printing units are successively presented in printing position by means for moving a conveyor bodily with said bed during printing operations and independently across said bed between printing operations, the combination of a conveyor having openings therethrough, printing units adapted to be disposed in said openings, means comprising a band around the type of said units to prevent the units passing completely through said openings during the lower travel path of said member whereby said units may be dropped into position in said openings and removed there from, and a member substantially co-extensive with said conveyor during its other travel path to support said units in said conveyor. 7

9. In a printing press having a movable bed and wherein printing unlts are successively presented in printing position by means for moving a conveyor bodily with said bed during printii'ig operations and independently across said bed between printing operations, the combination of a conveyor having openings therethrough, printing units adapted to be disposed in said openings, means comprising a band around the type of said units to prevent the units passing completely through said openings during the lower travel path of said member to provide for the placing of said units in said. openings and the withdrawal of the same therefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular to said conveyor without the aid of fastening devices, and a member substantially (TO-EXllGDSlVB with said conveyor during its other travel path to support said units in said conveyor.

10. In a printing press of the type Wherein printing units are successively presented in printing position, the combination of a conveyor having a plurality of openings therethrough, and impression units fitting said openings comprising a plurality of linotype slugs having a removable band around the lower portion thereof to bind them together and to prevent them from passin completely through said openings.

11. IX printing unit for use with a print ing press comprising a plurality of linotype slugs assembled to form a unit and a onepiece clamping band clamped around the base of said unit to bind the slugs together.

12. In a printing press of the type wherein printing units are successively presented in printing position, the combination of a continuous conveyor having an upper and a lower horizontal path, said conveyor having openings therethrough, type-high printing units adapted to be received in said openings as the conveyor passes on its lower horizontal path, and means comprising a clamp around the base of said printing units to bind them together and to prevent them from dropping out of the openings in the conveyor.

-13. In a printing press wherein a conveyor carries printing units and is adapted to move across the bed of said press, and

embodying means for intermittently actuating said conveyor from a continuously operating press shaft whereby said conveyor moves across said bed between printing operations only, the combination of a continuously rotating mutilated gear driven from said shaft, and a gear meshing therewith anddriving said conveyor.

14. In a printing press wherein a conveyor carries printing units and is adapted to move across the bed of said press, and embodying means for intermittently actuating said conveyor from a continuously operating press shaft whereby said conveyor moves across said bed between printing operations only, the combination of a continuously rotating mutilated gear driven from said shaft, a gear meshing therewith and driving said conveyor, and means to lock said conveyor gear during printing operations whereby said units are positively maintained stationary on said bed.

15. In a printing press wherein a conveyor carries printing units and is adapted to move across the bed of said press, and embodying means for intermittently actuating said conveyor from a continuously operating press shaft whereby said conveyor moves across said bed between printing operations only, the combination of a continuously rotating mutilated gear driven from said shaft, a gear meshing therewith and driving said conveyor, and means embodying the mutilated portion of said continuously rotating gear and a. member associated with said conveyor gear to lock the latter during printing operations whereby said units are positively maintained stationary on said bed.

16. In a printing press wherein a conveyor carries printingunits and is adapted to move across the bed of said press, and embodying means for intermittently actuating said conveyor from a continuously operating press shaft whereby said conveyor moves across said bed between printing operations only, the combination of a continuously rotating mutilated gear driven from said shaft, a gear meshing therewith and driving said conveyor, and a member rigidly associated with said conveyor gear having a surface adapted to be engaged by the mutilated portion of said continuously rotating gear to lock said conveyor during printing operations.

17. In a printing press wherein a conveyor carries printing units and is adapted to move across the bed of said press, and embodying means for intermittently actuating said conveyor from a continuously operating press shaft whereby said conveyor moves across said bed between printing operations only, the combination of a 18. In a printing press wherein a conveyor carries printing units and is adapted to move across the bed of said press, and embodying means for intermittently actuating said conveyor from a continuously operating press shaft whereby said conveyor moves across said bed between printing operations only, the combination of a continuously rotating mutilated gear driven from said shaft, a gear meshing therewith and driving said conveyor, and means for disconnecting said mutilated gear from said shaft, when desired.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN S. THOMPSON. 

